How to set your Circuit Breaker when gone for the season

Coachella Valley is the vacation destination of many. So popular is the Museum, that many vacationers end up buying a home and living here part-time! However, the responsibilities of those staying at hotels, condos, and rentals are very different than when they put out their welcome mat and call a place home. One of the biggest things Snowbirds must think about before leaving for the season or even a week is their circuit breaker.

Yes, circuit breaker, one of the least visited places in any home. But, when living in a tropical paradise there are many factors, especially in the summer months, such as daily thunderstorms, high humidity, and lots of heat that directly impact the electrical well-being of your house, making this an area of your home you must know well. Therefore, it is important to understand where your circuit breaker is located, ensure it is clearly labeled, and know the best way to set your circuit breaker when you are gone for the season.

 

How to Find Your Circuit Breaker

The circuit breaker is the nerve center in the home for all things electrical. If you live in a home with a garage, such as a villa or Single-Family home, the circuit breaker is usually located in the garage. 

While, if you live in a condo you will usually find your circuit breaker in the laundry room. Note, these are the two most common places, it can be found. Sometimes in smaller condos, it can be in the master bedroom or the kitchen. However, identifying its location is the easy part.

Labeling your Circuit Breaker

Once you’ve located the circuit breaker, double-check that it’s properly labeled and legible. The county requires that each electrical panel be prominently identified.

Whether it is a hastily written scrawl or simply the erosion of time, take the time to re-label the panel so it is easy to read. It is important to have a marked box to assist you, your home watch professional, or electrical work if ever the need to use the panel arises.

Another useful activity is to double-check that the box is not only properly labeled, but also specified for what should be turned off or left on when they go. Any great house watch service in the Coachella Valley should be able to help you with this when you leave and when you return.

How to set your Circuit Breaker

If you are a seasonal Homeowner or have ever gone for more than a week it is vital to actively take steps to mitigate potential risk to your home while you are away. One of the most important steps you can take is setting your circuit breaker appropriately before you leave. The below is a detailed breakdown of what to leave ON and OFF when gone for the season to help protect your home!

Leave On

Garbage Disposal

The garbage disposal is a powerhouse in the kitchen, think of it as a glorified food processor. The garbage disposal can rust out and non-use can cause them to lock up. Therefore, it is important to keep the Garbage Disposal ON at the circuit breaker for periodic maintenance.

When operating the disposal unit regularly, run cold water down the drain for at least 10 seconds. A homeowner may also use a few techniques to eliminate rust, clean their trash disposal, and keep it clean.

A/C and Air Handler

The two biggest issues in Coachella Valley for seasonal homeowners are water damage and mold. It may seem counterintuitive, but your electrical panel plays a vital role in preventing these issues due to the HVAC unit. The A/C and Air Handler is the main control of humidity in the home, it can remove up to 30 gallons of water a day in the summer! 

As a result, it is critical that you or any of your visitors never switch off the air conditioner or air handler; the money saved will never be worth the stress of arriving home to a mold-infested house! As a result, turn on your air conditioner and air handler at the circuit breaker.

Turn Off

Dryer and Washer

Unlike the refrigerator, the washer and dryer do not suffer technical difficulties if turned OFF/ON. Further, given the frequency of powerful electrical storms in Coachella Valley, sometimes daily in the summer, it is prudent to turn the appliances off while the house is unoccupied. 

Most Home Watch Companies recommend turning the Washer and Dryer OFF at the circuit breaker due to the ease of flipping a switch vs the cumbersomeness of having to get behind the bulky appliances to unplug and plug upon return. Further, it will also save you time when you return as you will be able to control everything from the electrical panel instead of going to each area of the home and manually re-engaging (water heater, garbage disposal, dishwasher, washer/dryer, etc.)

Hot Water Heater

As we said earlier the two biggest issues are water damage and mold. We talked about mold, now for water damage. The main precautionary measure taken to avoid water damage is to simply turn off your main water valve to the home before leaving for the season.  

However, for homeowners with an electric water heater, this can lead to complications if the water heater is not turned off as well. The reason, the water heater is fed water from the main water line to heat and then push throughout the home, but it also uses that water to cool the heating elements found in both the top and bottom of the tank that is doing all that heating in the first place.

Does turning things off at the Circuit Breaker cause wear?

Over time and with usage, the circuit breaker, like any mechanical system, will fail. Furthermore, the circuit breaker is not intended to be used daily.

Periodic usage, on the other hand, is perfectly acceptable for a home circuit breaker.

Contact 760-205-2072 or for more information visit Coachella Valley Home Watch.

How Home Watch Can Protect Your Home This Winter?

During the wintry holiday season, many Coachella Valley’s people can’t wait to escape somewhere warmer. Before Christmas is one of the busiest travel days of the year at the Airport.

So you booked your flight, packed your bags, locked your doors, and set the alarm. You are sure that everything is set, but is it? 

Most homeowners assume that if they have insurance they will be covered for anything that goes wrong in their home while they are away. What many don’t know is that when insurers set their premiums they assume that the house will be consistently occupied. Most insurers can deny coverage for a home that is left empty for 30 days or more.

The type of damage that occurs while the homeowner is away will also make a difference in whether it will be covered by your insurance company. 

According to many policies, water damage caused by freezing of the plumbing system within a heated home will not be covered if you have been away for more than seven consecutive days unless you can show that someone has entered your home every seven days to ensure heating is maintained. some insurers can enforce a four-day limit for unoccupied homes, especially in the winter.

Whether you are spending the winter in a warmer climate or just leaving town for the holiday season, hiring a bonded, licensed, and insured home watch company is a smart move. 

When you hire a home watch company like Coachella Valley Home Watch that carefully documents their home checks, you can sit back, relax and know that you’ve taken steps to avoid costly insurance denials and disputes! And when you return we can ensure that your thermostat is back up to a coming temperature and your fridge is stocked with all of your favorites to welcome you back to Coachella Valley Home Watch!

Contact 760-205-2072 or for more information visit Coachella Valley Home Watch.

What are the benefits of Home Watch Services?

When contemplating whether or not to invest in a home watch service provider for your home or you might find yourself thinking, “Why pay for a service when I can have a neighbor stop in from time to time to check on my home?” But then the “what-if’s” come into play. What if a serious issue arises? What if you need someone to take swift action on your behalf? What if your house has a security breach?

With all the “what-ifs” your property can quickly become an imposition for a neighbor and a significant drain on your bank account. It’s when the “what-ifs” become a reality that it is important to have an experienced home watch service provider on your side.

The best way to attract an accredited, certified house watch service provider significantly outweigh the costs. Whether you live in a single-family or multi-family house, you can get the following benefits:

  • Inspecting for leaks, insect infestations, mold, infestations, and other potential issues
  • Regular visits to your property aiding to prevent or lessen property damage
  • Creating a presence in your home which may deter squatters or intruders
  • Delivering weekly updates with consistent and accurate information during your absence
  • Providing the upkeep and home maintenance of air-conditioning and heating systems
  • Acting as your liaison between contractors, associations, realtors, and virtually anyone that you authorize them to
  • Answering alarm calls and working with local authorities
  • Accessing control to third parties (with permission from the owner)
  • Addressing any problems with landscapers and lawn services to ensure your home doesn’t appear empty
  • Implementing your storm plan

With a home watch service, it is these benefits that will leave you with peace of mind and assurance that one of your greatest investments will be protected and cared for so that when you return home, you enter your humble abode without any surprises.

What is Home Watch? Who and Why do I need Home Watch?

Each year we meet thousands of new residents in Coachella Valley, who come up to us at various local events and ask, what exactly is Home Watch.

Before moving down to California, we too did not know what Home Watch was.

While Home Watch is not new per said, some companies have been around now for almost 27 years! Yet, it is still incredibly informal and unrecognized.

Who needs Home Watch?

As more and more retire, many are seeking to live and maintain more than one household, whether to escape the weather, visit far-flung families, or simply for a change of pace.

Just in Coachella Valley alone, almost 73.7% of the population is seasonal, gone for an average of 7 months at a time!

Beautiful beaches, fantastic winter weather, and the opportunity to be out on the water are all reasons why so many people visit.

But, this is true of many places throughout the country, whether you love the mountains or lakes, skiing on snow or water, we all have a different dream of our ideal lifestyle. Now more and more of us have the financial means to make it a reality.

But, this is true of many places throughout the country, whether you love the mountains or lakes, skiing on snow or water, we all have a different dream of our ideal lifestyle. Now more and more of us have the financial means to make it a reality.

Why do I need Home Watch?

However, when staring up at the heavens we must always remember we still have two feet planted on the ground. A lot can go wrong in a home when you are away for long periods, water damage, property damage, pests, storms, HVAC issues.

Water and HVAC issues account for over half of all incidents in Coachella Valley. Not surprising due to the climate but concerning for other reasons.

If not discovered and treated quickly, HVAC system problems can lead to additional problems, such as mold! Water problems usually refer to leaks and stains, which can cause serious harm to your property if left unattended!

Distinct climates bring with them different dangers. With an average humidity of over 70% throughout the year and mold growth starting at 60% in Coachella Valley, HVAC problems may quickly become dangerous.

What should be checked during a Home Watch visit?

Home Watch the visual inspection of a home or property, looking for obvious issues. Each visit includes a basic check of plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems, as well as the overall condition of the home and property.

Depending on the house type, every visit by a Home Watch Professional will result in a comprehensive interior and exterior inspection of the property. The following are some of the most show the importance of a Home Watch Visit.

  • Monitor for Mold
  • Check the A/C and Condensate Line
  • Check for signs of pests
  • Visually inspecting the landscape, and pool area
  • Visually inspect the walls and ceilings for signs of water damage
  • Check for leaks, moisture, and condensation throughout the home
  • Run the water through every water source in the home
  • Check and verify the temperature and humidity in the home
  • Check any vehicle stored long-term
  • Check the mail and removing any signs of solicitation that give the appearance of a vacant home
  • Visually inspecting the circuit breaker for Power Surges and Power Outages
  • Visually inspecting the major appliances

Is Home Watch a regulated industry?

The answer is no, Home Watch as mentioned is incredibly informal and still has no regulation governing the industry. Therefore, it is imperative to do your due diligence when picking a Home Watch Company to care for your home when you are gone.

Most businesses didn’t have a website, insurance, or even a company license when the sector initially started! Any professional Home Watch Company should now have an official website, customer reviews, and a functional phone number.

When analyzing a possible Home Watch Company, be sure to ask about the following factors:

  1. Honesty Bond
  2. Certificate of Insurance
  3. Local Business License

The purpose of Home Watch Services is to make owning your second home as hassle-free as possible!

WANT A HOME WATCH SERVICE WE ARE HERE TO SERVE!

Coachella Valley Home Watch’s focus is your home and your peace of mind! This is a sample of items that we check for every home however, what’s important to you is important to us!  We can personalize our checklist to include items of your concern and provide reporting specific to them. If you have special requirements, just let us know! We furnish this facility to citizens from Palm Springs to Indian Wells. (Palm Springs,Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage Palm Desert, Bermuda Dunes and Indian Wells).

WHAT IS HOME WATCH?

Home Watch is an aid that embrace both scrutiny and conversation. A Home Watch service performs itinerary scrutiny of untenanted or vacant tract while the owner is away. These scrutinise entail a basic check of plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems, as well as overall constrain of the home and property.

Here is list of interior and exterior items we include as part of our service. We will inspect the interior of your home for:

  • Security System operation

When a door or window is closed, the two parts of the sensor are joined together, creating a security circuit. When the security system is fitted at the control panel, these sensors communicate with it by circulating that the point of entry is secure. We make sure that your home is fully secured while we are taking care of it, we keep a check on the security system to ensure no accidents happen.

  •  Check and test smoke detectors and Carbon Monoxide

A smoke detector is a device that senses smoke, typically as an indicator of fire. Commercial smoke detectors issue a signal to a fire alarm control panel as part of a fire alarm system, while household smoke detectors, also known as smoke alarms. We provide you with full facility while you are out of town we make sure that no such accidents are caused, we keep ourselves fully prepared for such constrain.

  • Check air conditioning system for operation

While you are out our team make sure that no air conditioner is on as anything can happen so we make sure that no such incidents happen. An air conditioner is a system that is used to cool down a space by removing heat from the space and moving it to some outside area. The cool air can then be moved throughout a building through ventilation.

  • Check garage door openers for proper operation

A garage door opener is a automated device that opens and closes garage doors restrained by switches on the garage wall. Most also include a handheld radio remote control carried by the owner, which can be used to open and close the door from a short distance. The garage door is normally the largest moving object in a home.